Turntable



A. SMITH Jan. 26, 1932.

TURNTABLE Filed March 25, 1951 4/ 44 INVENTOR AUGUSTUS SMITH BY HlSATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1932 .unrrsn sures PATENT orrics AUG'l'J'S'lUS SMITH, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BERGEN POINT IRON WORKS, OF BAYONNE, NE /V JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY TURNTABLE Application filed March 25, 1931. Serial No. 525,258.

This invention relates to portable turntables such as are commonly used for turning around automobiles and the like. It is an ob ect of this invention to make a turn table having a large pair of wheels which carry the weight of the device when it is pear as the invention is described in connection with the accompany drawings In the drawings v Figure'l is a plan view of my turntable. Figure 2 is a side elevation viewof my turntable.

Figure 3 is a detailed side elevation view of the pivot mechanism used in my turntable.

Figure 4: is a plan View of the pivot mecha nism.

Referring to the drawings the turntable has two parallel channel beams 10, 12 upon which the wheels 14 of the automobile or other vehicle may roll in placing the vehicle upon. theturntable. At each end of these channel beams are hinged ramps or runways 16 to facilitate the running of the vehicle upon and oii the turntable. The channel beams 10, 12 are spaced apart and secured at each end by a pair of parallel angle iron spacers 18,20; thesespacersbeing themselves spaced apart sufficiently to permit the radial mounting of a small roller 22 adjacent to each corner of the turntable. Bearing members 23 are secured upon each of the spacer beams 18, 20 adjacent to each corner of the turntable, in which bearingis journalled an end of the axle 24;- ot the particular roller located in that corner. These bearings are so located that the axes of the wheels will intersect the pivotal axis of the turntable, as will hereinafter be described.

At the'central portion of the turntable are two small I-beams26; 28 which extend transversely of the turntable to carry the weight to the two large wheels 34 which are mounted on either side between a pair of parallel hearng plates 30, 32. In order that these bearing plates may be outside of the channel beams, the transverse beams 26, 28 are of sufficient length to extend a short distance beyond the channel beams 10 12. Between the bearing plates 30, 32 are mounted two large wheels 34, the axis of which lie in a cross diameter which passes through the pivotal axis of the turntable. These wheels 34 are so mounted that when a vehicle is rolled upon the turntable and is balanced thereon, the end rollers will clear the floor. Thus so long as perfect balance is maintained the main wheels 84 carry all the weight of the turntable and its load. Braces 27 between transverse beams 26, 28 are also provided to strengthen the apparatus.

In order that the turntable may be held at and rotated about a particular spot, there is provided a pivot whose axis is the vertical axis of rotation or pivotal axis of the turntable. This pivot comprises a pin 40 having a foot with a roughened or pointed lower surt'ace which may be caused to press against and grip the floor at the will of the operator by the following means. A horizontal annular plate 41 is seated on a shoulder Which is formed on the pin a few inches from its lower end and a spring 42 presses against this plate and against the lower surface of a. channel iron cross bar 43 whose ends are joined to the transverse beams 26, 28. The pivot pin 40 passes through an aperture in the cross bar 43 and is guided at its upper end, during its vertical movement, by the walls of that aperture. The pivot is guided at its lower end by the walls of an aperture in a guide plate 44 through which the pin also passes. This plate 4st mav be secured to the cross Jeam 43 in any suitable manner.

The upper endof the pin 40 is connected by a linkage mechanism to a hand lever located at the side of the turntable near one of the large wheels. This linkage mechanism comprises a pair of. identical and parallel links &5 which are pivotally connected at one end to'the upper end of the pin while their other ends are connected to the ends of identical and parallel bell crank levers 46 which are pivoted upon posts 51 secured to the cross bar 13. The other ends of these bell crank levers 46 are pivotally connected with the 5 bifurcated end of a connecting bar 47 whose other'end is connected toa=vertical crank 48. Thls crankis pivotally mounted in two spaced bearmg arms 49 which are securedto and extend outwardly from one of the hearing plates'30. To the upper end of this crank member '48 a'handle 'is secured. -Thusgas the handle is rotated it causes rotation of. the crank member 48 which moves the connecting 1 bar 47 which in turn actuatcsthe-bell crank 46 and the bell crank, through the link 45,

"moves the' pivot pin 40' up or down again-st -or with theaction of the odd spring=42 In order that thepivct t'O-in ay beheldin :raised position against the "pressure 1 of i'the s rin 42 the crank 48 may be* -ermitted'to P a 7 P rotate just past a 1 dead center position =-and rest against =-astop. The parts areshown {in *this position in Figure Itwillbe-unolerstood that in the dead center position sthe spring will be compressed its ma-ximuin amount, "and the pivot "will correspondingly be ra-ised 'cii' the floor as far as is possible.

Upon rotation of the cran k ba-ok' through dead center position the spring will :cause "the pivot to i drop until it strikes the floor and;

the crank i an d handleiiwill rest =in the posi tionsthey thenoccupy. In order to keep the turntable from pivoting while a vehicle is moving on oroff -it, I provide 'atathe side of the turntable avertical-lymovablepin the lowerend of which gauged by both the pinGO. and the pivot pin tO. it -is 1 obvious that thc' turntable will be immovable under' the stresses ordinarily applied. The,pin 60*-m'ay haveits lowerend roughened or spiked-so as to firmly grip the floor. The pin 60 guided; in its movement by abra'cket 61 secured to the plate 3O atone side 'of thc; turntable, the pin passing through aperturesi in spaced horizontal arins 62,68 I of the bracket and being: pressed floorwvard by=-a spring- 6 1 which bears against the underside o f the upper ofthe' bracket and-againsta collar 65 or likedevicesecured to" the middle portion of the pin 60. p

' "-Tomove the -pin "60 up against the action of spring, 'a link '66 may 1 be :pivotally con 7 nected' at one end to the topof thepinv60 and at the-other end toa hand lever 67'which may conveniently be pivotally mounted on an extension of the hub 68 of one of the wheels 34. The connections of this linkage mechanism are so arrangedi that when. the hand lever 67 is=vertical thepin 60 will be raised oii the floor. Andwhen the hand lever is moved slightly passedverticalitjwill rest against 'a stop clevicefforexample, a pin: or 'bolt 69 'and--=will thusholdf the pin 60 elevated. The parts are-shown ini this position in Figure F2.

. tively.

To lower the pin 60' it is simply necessary to move the hand lever up through vertical and on down to horizontal. The spring (it will cause the pin to engage the floor.

In the operation of my device, afterthe pin 60 is lowered ras'above described the vehicle isrolledvup the ramps 16.011 to:the channel ibeams10, 12 until the center of gravity of the vehicle is vertically above the axis of the wheels 34'. The turntable is "then balanced and the end =rollers' 22" will i be raised oil the floor. Now the brakes of the vehicle may be set. Then the hand lever 67 is manipulated to raiseethepine-60. iNow the turntable may be rotated with ease since all the wheels of theiturntable are tangentiallto *the :axis of rotation. After .the turntable has :been rostated to; ;a:;given positiomthezpinfiO z isvagain loweredzbymandr lever :67 and the vehicle: is rolled or. The pivot $0263.11 nowbe raised FilllCl. the-turntable may be rolle'db-away to the proper :position :for another vehicle.

.It should be:& notedlthatx the-wheels 34 carry .theweight o't th'eturntablezand its-load,v iithe .loading is exactly I central. But :in :case the vehicle. is not perfectly balanced, I the corner rollers .22 :will take care of the -eccentricity 5&1ld Wll.l rotate on radiippassing through the main i-pivotalvaxisl to; hold the ends. of the .ap- .paratus -.from dragging V. on the floor.

mechanism .for causing said pivot .to move vertically to engage-and disengage the. floor, .a-pair ofsupporting wheels having their :axes 111a cross diameter-passing through the axis .of ,said pivot, whereby =saiduwheels chiefly will-carry.theturntableaand, its. load whether the turntable is moved rectilinearly or. rota- .2. [A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured. together. in spaced relation, a centrally located ivertical pivot about which. the turntable is rotatable, mechanism for causing said pivot to move vertically. to -engage and disengage the floor,

a pair of supporting wheels having. their axes in-a cross diameter passingthroughtheaxis of said pivot,- whereby said wheelschieflywill carry the turntable and its load whether" the turntable is moved-rectilinearly or rotatively, and rollers mounted adj acent the; ends ofthe Thus 1:

turntable to take care 0f. any eccentricity in loading. I L

3. transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivotpa plurality of Wheels for carr ing chiefly the turntable and its lead whether the turntable is moved .rectilinearly or rota a verticalpivot movable to engage and disengage the-floor, the-axes of said wheels being in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, and a plurality of rollers located adjacent the corners of the turntable, the axes-0f said rollers all passing through the axis of said pivot.

'4. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable may rotate,

' in an accessible position a spring normally pressing said pivot toward the floor, linkage mechanism connected to said pivot, a crank and handle connected with said linkage mechanism whereby said pivot may be moved vertically, said handle being at the side of the turntable, in combination with a pair of wheels for carrying the main portion of the weight of the turntable and load whether the turntable is moving rectilinearly or rotatively, the axes of said wheels being in a cross diameter of the turntable of said pivot.

' 5. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable may rotate, a

passing through the axis spring normally pressing said pivot toward the floor, linkage mechanism connected to said pivot, a crank and handle connected with said linkage mechanism whereby said pivot may be moved, said handle being in an-accessible' position at the side of the turntable, in combination with a pair of wheels for H carrying the main portion of the weight of said pivot, and adJaCent the corners o1 the turntable and load whether the turn table is moved rectilinearly or rotatively, the axes of said Wheels being in a cross diameter of the turntable passing through the axis of a plurality of rollers located the turntable the axes of said rollers passing through the axis of said pivot.

6. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together 1n spaced relation a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable is rotatable, a vertical crank having a handle thcrc on at the side of the turntable for raising and lowering said pivot, a pair of supporting wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels will chiefly carry the turntable and its load whether the turntable is moving rectilinearly or rotatively.

7. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable is rotatable, means at the side of the turntable for moving said pivot vertically, a pair of supporting wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels will chiefly carry the turntable and its load whether the turntable is moving rectilinearly or rotatively. a

8. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spacedrelation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable isrotatablc, means at the side of the turntable for moving said pivot vertically, a pair of supporting wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels will chiefly carry the turntable and its lead whetherthe turntable is moving rectilinear-1y or rotatively, and rollers mounted adjacent the ends of the turntable to take care of any eccentricil y in loading.

9. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable is rotatable, a spring pressing said pivot flooi.'ward, a link connected to said pivot, a bell crank connected to said link, handle and crank means for moving saidbell crank, in combination with a pair of supporting wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels will chiefly carry the turntable and its load Whether the turntable is moving rectilinearly or rotatively.

. 10. Atransportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable is rotatable, mechanism for causing said pivot to move vertically to engage and disengage the floor. a pair of supporting Wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels chiefly will carry the turntable and its load whether the turntable is moved rectilinearly or rotatively, and means holding said turntable against rotation while a vehicle is being moved on 01' oil of it.

'11. A transportable turntable comprising Vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable .is rotatable, mechanism for causing said pivot to move vertically to engage and disengage the floor, a pair otsupporting wheels having their axes in a cross diameter passing through the axis of said pivot, whereby said wheels chiefly will carry the turntable and its load whether the turntable is moved rectilincarly or rotatively, and means spaced from said pivot for holding said turntable against rotation while a vehicle is'being moved on or off of it.

III

12. A transportable turntable Comprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in'spaced'relation, acentrally located verti-' calpivot about which the turntable is-rotatable,.mechanism for causing saidpivot to move vertically to engage and disengage thefloor,

a pair of supporting wheels having'their axes v in-a cross diameter passing through the axis 7 of said pivot, whereby said wheels chiefly will carry the turntable and its load whether the turntable is moved rectilinea-rly or rotatively,

in a cross diameterpassing through the axis L of saidpivot whereby said wheels chieflywill carry the turntable and itsrload whether the turntable is moved rectilinearly or rotatively,

with the floorto steady the turntable.

.14. A transportable turntable comprising vehiclersupporting beams secured together in spaced relatioina centrally located vertical pivot about whichthe turntable is rotatable, mechanism for causing said pivot'to move vertically to engage anddisengage the floor,

a "pair ofsupporting wheels having their axes apair of supporting'wheelshaving; their axes" in a cross dlameter passing through the axis of said pivotywhereby said wheels chiefly will carry he turntable and its load whether theatumtablef is; moved rectilinearly .or rota.- tively, means holding said turntable against rotation while .a vehicle is being moved on or ofi ofit, meansnormally'urgingsaid holding meanslflo'orward, and linkage mechanism for operating said holding means and controllingsaid urging means. I 1 i In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this, specification. f l

. I aueusrus sierra and vertically movable means engageable s in across diameter passing through the axis i of said'pivot, whereby said wheels chiefly will carry theturntable and itsloadwhether the turntable is movedirectilinearly or rotatively,

and means-holding said turntable against roe a tation while avehlcle 11s being moved on or Y I 7 off of it, and manually operable Ilinkage mechanism for operating said holding means.

I 15. A transportable turntable comprising vehicle supporting beams :securedtogether in spaced relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the tur-ntable is rotatable,

rmechanism for causing said pivot to move 7 1 a pair of supporting wheels having their-axes in a cross diameterpassing through the axis of sai'dpivot whereby said wheels chiefly will carry theturntable and its load whether a i the turntable is moved'rectilinearlyor rotatively, means holdingisaid turntable against verticallyto engage and disengage the floor; 1

rotation while a vehicle is'being moved on oroff ofit, and means normally urging "said holdlng means fioorward.

16. A transportable turntablewcomprising vehicle supporting beams secured together in spaced-relation, a centrally located vertical pivot about which the turntable is rotatable, l

mechanismfor causing said pivot ztoi'move' vertically to engage and disengage the floor, 

